Shad is one of the artists who came out to lobby for the much-needed tax to go towards the arts. He's an ideal person to speak to decision-makers about art, because he fulfills the fantasy about what an artist is and defies the stereotype at the same time.

Toronto arts and culture continue to be woefully underfunded. We are spending less per person than any other major Canadian city. Council has made three unfilled commitments. The plan was to invest $25 per person by 2008 and when that plan failed, by 2013. City Council needs to invest or Toronto will be left behind.